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Surlingham and South Yare Year List

Sunday, 14 September 2014

A sprint for a Sandpiper and other Norfolk tales

Luckily nobody else was up early enough this morning to see me running back to the car to collect my scope at Church Marsh, having just spotted 2 Waders at the lagoon edge just to distant to ID. Certainly a test of the leg, which held out. On returning to the lagoon having worked up a sweat I was able to positively identify 2 Common Sandpipers, telling myself how much I liked Sandpipers and how much that could mean when the end of year patchwork challenge points are added up. Elsewhere on the reserve, I encountered singing Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Perhaps they are setting up a territory for winter or maybe just singing because they can. Kingfisher (regularly seeing at least one in the last couple of weeks) Sparrowhawk and 2 Little Grebe the best of the rest. In recent weeks Little Owl, Green Woodpecker and calling Tawny Owl are all of note.

Today Debs and I grabbed a few hours round Waxham before heading for dinner at my father in law's. We walked from Waxham Sands down to the pipe dump, and it was at the dump that we found Redstart, Whinchat, a beautifully crisp Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Wheatear, This was as good as it got but a really exciting half hour or so when it felt like almost anything could drop in. Hard work out there and as usual I wish I had more time. A move to the coast would sort this.......

I have been persisting with Caister the previous 2 weekends but to very little avail. I'll be honest- I do just prefer Waxham-Horsey! I still feel like there is more to discover in these areas I have birded casually for a good few years.

Little Egret at Church Marsh, one of two that landed briefly during the week

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About Me

I'm Jim, and I teach in Beccles which is a nice change from Thetford. I have always been interested in wildlife, but have been birding seriously since uni, where I penned a dissertation on a history of man and nature at Minsmere RSPB reserve.
I have been birding in Ecuador, Estonia, Thailand and Argentina, and closer to home I was the recipient of the JMHF grant and spent two weeks volunteering on Fair Isle.
I enjoy studying Bats, Butterflies, Moths and Dragonflies; anything that flies it would seem! Much of term time is taken up with teaching and planning, but I am a keen patch birder as well as rarity hunter
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I am volunteer Assistant Warden at my patch of RSPB Surlingham Church Marsh. I am also a mentor for conservation group A Focus On Nature. It is a privilege to be asked to be a mentor for AFON, and I look forward to helping young people connect with the natural world. I also offer local private guided wildlife tours. I believe connecting with the countryside can have a positive effect on the mental health of the nation, and I hope the next generation can reap the benefits whilst ensuring the sustainability of habitats at home and abroad.